Special report: DSM-5
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Evidence weak for social communication disorder
There are several reasons why social communication disorder should not have been included in the DSM-5, says Helen Tager-Flusberg.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/helentager_flusberg-thumb.jpg)
Evidence weak for social communication disorder
There are several reasons why social communication disorder should not have been included in the DSM-5, says Helen Tager-Flusberg.
Intellectual disability’s DSM-5 debut
The newest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders relies on intellectual function in daily life, both for diagnosing intellectual disability and for determining its level of severity, says Walter Kaufmann.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/walter_kaufmann-thumb.jpg)
Intellectual disability’s DSM-5 debut
The newest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders relies on intellectual function in daily life, both for diagnosing intellectual disability and for determining its level of severity, says Walter Kaufmann.
Despite fears, DSM-5 is a step forward
There is little to fear in the definition of autism in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and a lot to recommend it, says Simon Baron-Cohen.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/simon_baron_cohen-Thumb.jpg)
Despite fears, DSM-5 is a step forward
There is little to fear in the definition of autism in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and a lot to recommend it, says Simon Baron-Cohen.
DSM-5 may better serve girls with autism
The newest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders overtly acknowledges that females with autism may have features that differ from those of males with the disorder, says William Mandy.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/william_mandy-thumb.jpg)
DSM-5 may better serve girls with autism
The newest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders overtly acknowledges that females with autism may have features that differ from those of males with the disorder, says William Mandy.
Adjusting diagnostic tests for the DSM-5
As clinicians adopt the new criteria for autism, the many tests now used to diagnose the disorder may need to be modified, says Amy Esler.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Amy-Esler-thumb.jpg)
Adjusting diagnostic tests for the DSM-5
As clinicians adopt the new criteria for autism, the many tests now used to diagnose the disorder may need to be modified, says Amy Esler.
Will new DSM-5 autism criteria impact services?
The newest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is an imperfect document, but it is far from the calamity that many have accused it of being, says Ari Ne’eman.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ari_neeman-thumb.jpg)
Will new DSM-5 autism criteria impact services?
The newest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is an imperfect document, but it is far from the calamity that many have accused it of being, says Ari Ne’eman.
Funding agency shifts focus away from diagnostic groups
The National Institute of Mental Health is moving away from research proposals that hew closely to clinical diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorder. The announcement has struck many autism researchers as an attack on the already-controversial new diagnostic criteria for the disorder.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/images/images-2013-folder/images-news-2013/20130527newsrdoc.jpg)
Funding agency shifts focus away from diagnostic groups
The National Institute of Mental Health is moving away from research proposals that hew closely to clinical diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorder. The announcement has struck many autism researchers as an attack on the already-controversial new diagnostic criteria for the disorder.
Live DSM-5 discussion
Listen to our virtual roundtable on the DSM-5 criteria for autism, featuring Thomas Insel, Catherine Lord and Helen Tager-Flusberg.
Live DSM-5 discussion
Listen to our virtual roundtable on the DSM-5 criteria for autism, featuring Thomas Insel, Catherine Lord and Helen Tager-Flusberg.
From the archives
Why fold Asperger syndrome into autism spectrum disorder in the DSM-5?
In the new diagnostic manual for psychiatric disorders, Asperger syndrome will be folded into autism spectrum disorder. Francesca Happé, a member of the committee that made the recommendation, explains the rationale behind the decision.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/images/viewpoint/464566.jpg)
Why fold Asperger syndrome into autism spectrum disorder in the DSM-5?
In the new diagnostic manual for psychiatric disorders, Asperger syndrome will be folded into autism spectrum disorder. Francesca Happé, a member of the committee that made the recommendation, explains the rationale behind the decision.
Proposed guidelines won’t miss autism cases, study says
The proposed changes to the diagnostic criteria for autism are unlikely to exclude many people currently diagnosed with Asperger syndrome or pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified, according to a large analysis published today in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/images/news/121001-news-dsm5.jpg)
Proposed guidelines won’t miss autism cases, study says
The proposed changes to the diagnostic criteria for autism are unlikely to exclude many people currently diagnosed with Asperger syndrome or pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified, according to a large analysis published today in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Defining language deficits across autism spectrum
We are on the verge of a seismic shift in the definition of autism spectrum disorders, says David Skuse. Under proposed guidelines for autism diagnosis, the canard that most people with the disorder cannot speak, or have such disordered language that they cannot sustain a conversation, has been abandoned.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/VolkmarDSM5Article.jpg)
Defining language deficits across autism spectrum
We are on the verge of a seismic shift in the definition of autism spectrum disorders, says David Skuse. Under proposed guidelines for autism diagnosis, the canard that most people with the disorder cannot speak, or have such disordered language that they cannot sustain a conversation, has been abandoned.
DSM-5 redefines autism
On Saturday, the American Psychiatric Association released the DSM-5, the long-awaited new version of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/images/ongoing-images/ongoingdsm5.jpg)
DSM-5 redefines autism
On Saturday, the American Psychiatric Association released the DSM-5, the long-awaited new version of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Sobering sample
A survey of health and education professionals finds that about half of them object to the proposed changes in the diagnostic criteria for autism.
![Collage of an image of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/DSM-5-new-guidelines-autism-844.jpg)
Sobering sample
A survey of health and education professionals finds that about half of them object to the proposed changes in the diagnostic criteria for autism.
Analysis of new diagnostic criteria for autism sparks debate
A new analysis of proposed changes to the diagnostic criteria for autism suggests that the revision could exclude a substantial number of people with high-functioning autism. But critics say the study is fundamentally flawed.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/images/news/VolkmarDSM5Article.jpg)
Analysis of new diagnostic criteria for autism sparks debate
A new analysis of proposed changes to the diagnostic criteria for autism suggests that the revision could exclude a substantial number of people with high-functioning autism. But critics say the study is fundamentally flawed.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200_coughingmice-1024x720.webp)
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
![Capitol building](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/capitolhill-1200-1024x692.webp)
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.
![Illustration of ketamine blocking open ion channels in active NMDA receptors, quieting the cells and disrupting downstream signaling involved in depression.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200-ketamine-receptor-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.